Cigarette package



y 0- c. L. WILSCN 2,202,279

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Original Filed March 7, 19:56 2 Shets-Sheet 1 5E1. wenkpee y 0- c. L. WILSON 2,202,279

' CIGARETTE PACKAGE Original Filed larch 7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CEL L OPl-IANE WRAPPER L A BEL WAPPEE F011. PAPEe-BAc/rED PAPER F011. WRAPPER TIFF 5T0 CK atehted 28, 194% ram" or'rica craann'r'rn menace Carroll L. Wilson, Framingham Center, Mass, as-

signor to. Electra Corporation, Wilmington, Del a corporation of Delaware Application March 7,

1936, Serial No. 67,611

' Renewed January 16, 1940 Claims.

This invention relates to packages, and with regard to certain more specific features, to packages of cigarettes.

Among the several objects of the invention s may be noted the provision of a cigarette package including as an element thereoi\a captive closure device which is adapted to be opened for the removal of a cigarette, and closed thereafter; a cigarette package of the class described, including a captive closure means, which is formed of cheap material whereby it can be,.discarcled without substantial waste when the package is emptied; the provision, in a package of cigarettes of the class described, of a captive closure member, which, when opened, permits the withdrawal of cigarettes in perfect condition, and which, when closed, retains the cigarette in perfect condition within the package; the provision of acigarette package of the class described 20 which is substantially rigid, whereby the contained. cigarettes are not likely to be deformed while the package is in use; the provision of a cigarette package of the type described which does not involve substantial changes in manu- 26 facturing procedure over the packages in general use at this time, and hence requires-no sub-= stantial deviation from the present routine for the packaging of cigarettes; the provision of a' cigarette package of the class described, inc1ud-' 80 ing-a captive closure element, wherein the captive closure element is so disposed and constructed that it may readily be opened by the user, ordinarily with a single hand; the provision of a cigarette package of the class described wherein means are provided for maintaining the package in a moisture-proof,- sealed condition, prior to its original opening, and substantially so after its original opening; and the provision of a cigarette package of the class described which is relaillustrated several of various possible embodi-- ments of the invention,

'Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette pack- I age embodying the present invention, in conditlon for sale;

tively simple and economical in construction and A operation. Other objects will be in part obvious Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the package of Fig. 1, opened and ready for the withdrawal of a cigarette therefrom;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the package of Fig. 1 in an inverted position;

Fig. 4 is a development of an element forming part of the package of Fig. 1;

, Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the package of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a closure element found in the package of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-section of an alternative structure for the package of Fig. l, and other packages; and Fig. 8 is a development of an element of the type shown in Fig. 5, modified in certain particulars.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The cigarette, on account of its peculiar size and shape and construction, presents an unusual packaging problem. customarily, a group of twenty cigarettes, each of which is approximate- 1y 2%" long by A" in diameter, are compressed into a bundle approximately 2 high by 2" long by wide. This bundle is then wrapped by first enclosing itin a piece of paper-backed metal foil, with the paper side in contact with the cigarette. Outside of this wrapping is positioned a paper label, which is usually folded in and sealed at the bottom of the package. Across the top of the package is positioned the internal revenue stamp. The entire package is then wrapped in a covering of Cellophane" or similar so-called moisture-proof, transparent covering material. 1

Under certain circumstances, the Cellophane package through one end of the package, which is usually one end of the top of the package. Ordinarily, the user opens the package in the following manner: The user first tears open the top of the Cellophane covering, at least to the extent of exposing one end of the top of the package. Sometimes the entire Cellophane wrapper is discarded; at other times the Cello- 'ception of the torn corner.

phane is retained in position intact, with the ex After thus opening the Cellophane wrapper, the user then tears away the paper-backed foil, or the paper label, at one side of the revenue stamp at the top of the package, thus leaving a relatively small opening through which cigarettes can be withdrawn.

This manner of opening the usual type of cigarette package will hereinafter be referred to as the usual manner of opening a cigarette package.

The usual manner. of opening the usual package of cigarettes leaves an open hole at the top of the package. Through this hole there are discharged objectionable shreds of tobacco and the like into the pocket or pocketbook of the user. Further, extraneous matterfrequently enters the package through the hole and soils or with the usual type of cigarette package. Thus,

with each additional fresh package of cigarettes, the appliance has to be fitted, which is objectionable to the user. Furthermore, these appliances are relatively expensive, which limits the extent of their use. Furthermore, such appliances undesirably increase the bulk and weight of a package of cigarettes. Furthermore, such appliances are likely to damage the package of cigarettes when they are being applied to the package, unless the user has acquired an unusual proficiency in such application.

The present invention proceeds on an entirely i different. principle than that of the extraneous appliances. In the present invention, the closure means for the opening at the end of the usual package of cigarettes is made integral with the package,-forming acaptive part of the same when it is sold in trade. Further, the present invention provides, as a part more or less integral with said closure means, means which increase the rigidity of the cigarette package to the point that. it no longer can readily be bent or broken,

thus preserving the cigarettes in their original shape. These basic principles run throughout the several embodiments of the inventioii which are to be described'in greater detail hereinafter. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a package of cigarettes embodying the present invention. The package is of the size and shape of the usual package of cigarettes; in fact, there is substantially no difference in appearance between the package illustrated in Fig. l and the usual package of cigarettes, except as pointed out hereinafter.

The package as illustrated in Fig. 1 is in condition for sale. It includes an outer Cellophane or like transparent moisture-proof covering wrapper indicated by'numeral I, an inner usually relatively light paper wrapper 2, "which carries the printed descriptions, etc., and which will hereinafter be referred to as the label wrapper, and the customary internal revenue stamp 3. Visible through the Cellophane wrapper i at the top of by numeral 4.

the package, in such regions as are not covered by the stamp 3, is a combined closure and reinforcing wrapping or container element indicated This combined closure and reinforcing element forms one of the principal features of the present invention and will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In the package illustrated in Fig. l, the paperbacked metal foil heretofore-used in the usual type of cigarette package has been dispensed with, because its function of making the package relatively rigid is taken over by the element 4, while the Cellophane wrapper l provides suitable moisture-proof characteristics for the package. It has been found that the paper-backed foil layer may readily be dispensed within packages embodying certain forms of the present invention. However, for additional rigidity, and additional moisture-proofness, it may sometimes be advisable to use the customary layer of paperbacked foil, as will be pointed out in greater detail hereinafter.

Figure 2 indicates the package of Fig. 1 in opened condition, ready for the' withdrawal of a cigarette 5. In the course of opening the pack-' age, the Cellophane wrapper I has been removed,

the Cellophane wrapper I, form the closure means i for the top of the saleable package. The bottom of the package is usually closed by folded-over portions of the label wrapper 2, indicated by numeral I in Fig. 3. These portions 1 are pasted or glued together, to form a permanent bottom closure for the package.

Fig. 4 is a used in the present invention. The element 4 is preferablymad e of a light-weight stiff cardboard stock, although numerous materials may be used within the scope of the present invention. The material should, however, be sufllciently still to impart a satisfactory degree of rigidity to the finished package. Suitable stocks, I have found, include the so-called folder stock, which is about 0.008 thick, card stock, which is about 0.009" thick,.tag stock, which is about 0.014" thick, and the so-called red rope folder stock, which is considerably thicker than any of the foregoing development of the element 4 as Returning to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the posite front or back portion 8, in order to make a rectangular box-like object. The regions also include a rectangular top portion l I, which comprises a forward portion i2 and av rearward portion 13 hinged together along a fold line i4. To the sides of the forward portion ii are hinged, by

means of fold lines IS, a pair of substantiallysemi-circular wings I8, of which the fold lines l5 comprise substantially radial elements. A

curved tab I1 is hinged to the leading edge of the forward section I2 by means of a fold line l8.

In-preparing the element I for assembling it to a package, the tab I is secured, as by pasting,

to the opposite edge of the opposite region 8, in-

order to make a rectangular box out of the regions 8 and 9. The cover portion H is then bent down in such a manner as to close the top of the box, the tab I! being preferably bent down and tucked inside the end of the box. The wings 56 are then bent downwardly against the outsides of the front 8' and back 8 of the box. This constitutes the assembled stiff stock portion of th package.

Following as closely as possible to the usual routine of packaging cigarettes, as practiced in most localities, the label wrapper 2 is next applied around the stiff stock box, leaving the bottom edges of the label wrapper open. The package is then passed under a suitable delivery device, which inserts the bundle of cigarettes into the package through the open bottom. It will be noted that there is no bottom to the stiff box element, and it therefore offers no obstruction to this manner of packaging cigarettes. After the cigarettes are in the package, the bottom edges l of the label wrapper 2 are folded into position and glued, thereby closing the package. The label wrapper 2, itwill be understood, is positioned outside the wings SE of the stiff box element.

Next, the internal revenue stamp is pasted across the top of the package, and then the package is provided with a Cellophane wrapper l in the usual manner. The package is then complete and ready for distribution.

Upon receipe of the package, the user proceeds to open it by removing the Cellophane wrapper l or at least tearing off the corner of the Cellophane wrapper over the region marked Open this end (see Fig. 1), and then, with his fingernail, he lifts the tab ll, thereby bending the region l2 of the stiff stock element upwardly along the fold line M. The package then assumes the condition illustrated in Fig. 2, and a cigarette may be removed. Upon removal of a cigarette, the user may readily close the closure 6 by bending it downwardly along the fold line it.

The closure 6, it will be seen, comprises the elements l2, l6, and ll of the stiff stock element d. Fig. 6 indicates in a. somewhat enlarged manner the relative disposition of these elements in a completed package. The wings it, it will be seen, slide in the space between the stiff stock walls 8 and the paper wrapper 2. For this reason, the wings l6 constitute a guide for the cover a in its opening and closing movement. At the same time, they do not interfere with the cigarettes, which are all within the walls 8. The stiff stock is such that the fold l4 may be bent back and forth a sufiicient number of times to remove all of the cigarettes in the package, without parting or tearing.

In order to open the closure 6 in the manner described, it is necessary to tear a portion of the internal revenue stamp 3, as indicated by numeral 59 in Fig. 2. This automatically complies with the internal revenue regulation requiring that an internal revenue stamp be destroyed in openage, in a position to the right of the center so that it entirely overlaps the cover portion l3 of the element 4.

vides the package with greater rigidity than is encountered in the usual typeof package provided with a paper-backed foil wrapping,. and it has been found that such stiff stock may be prepared in the manner described at a cost usually somewhat less than the cost of the paperbacked foil wrapping.

During the use of the package, as it becomes more nearly emptied, there is a tendency for the package to collapse, bringing the front 8 and the back 8 closer to each other. This provides for a slight outward bulge in the cover comprising the portions l2 and I 3. Such a bulge provides an automatic means of holding the cover 6 closed, as the fold line it will not operate as a hinge until it is straight. The resistance of the bulge to straightening, however, is very slight, so that the cigarette package, and is not likely to come loose therefrom. Nor need it be applied specifically to every package of cigarettes when the user purchases cigarettes, for one of such closure 6 is provided in every package of cigarettes as a part of the package.

If itis desired to use paper-backed foil in addition to the stifi stock element, thelabel wrapper, and the Cellophane wrapper, it may be done, preferably by wrapping a paper-backed foil wrapper, indicated by numeral 20 in Fig. 7, on the stifi stock 6 before the application of the label wrapper 2. This is usually, and most preferably done by leaving the bottom free of the paper-backed foil, and folding the ends of the paper-backed foil over the top of the package before the application of the internal revenue stamp 3, as is done in the usual type of cigarette package available on the market. Fig. 7 indicates diagrammatically the plies that would thus be present in the finished package.

tage is that it consumes less stiff stock than the Fig. 4 embodiment. Its advantage over the Fig. 4

embodiment is its conservation of stiff stock, since it can be stamped out of a singlerectangle of stiff stock. The front and back portions 8 are retained; these are hinged directly to the top portion H by'fold lines 2!. The forward portion i2 of the top ll is reduced in length, and the semi-circular wings l6 are relieved from the top regions of the portions 8, providing additional curved edges 22 for the portions'B. This embodiment is incorporated into the finished package by bending the portions 8 downwardly along the fold lines 2|, the wings I6 being similarly bent downwardly along the fold lines IS. The completed package looks substantially like the package illustrated in Fig. 2, with the exception that the portion l2 of the closure 6 is not as long as it is in the Fig. 2 embodiment, and it exposes when the closure 6 is open.

This embodiment is not quite as satisfactory as the prior embodiments in that the package is not as rigid, due to the absence of the portions 9 of the-Fig. 4 embodiment, and in that the wings it, being directly juxtaposed to the enclosed cigarettes, sometimes interfere with the movement of said cigarettes, or the cigarettes interfere with the movements of the closure 8.

It will be noted that the tab i1 is omitted from the Fig. 8 embodiment. It will readily be understood that the tab i1 likewise may be omitted from the Fig. 4 embodiment, if desired, although it forms a convenient handle for operating the closure means 8,

Certain broader aspects of the present invention are described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 204,093, flied April 25, 1938.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

, 1. In a package of cigarettes, enclosing means comprising a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers constituting stifl'cardboard adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the package, said stiff layer including a top for the package, closure means integral with said stiff layer and captive within the package adapted to open and close an opening in the package to permit the withdrawal'of, cigarettes therefrom, said closure means comprising a portion of said top attached by a fold line to the remainder of said top to hingedly lift upwardly from said top along said fold line, and at least one wing foldably attached to said portion of said top, at least one other of said layers being positioned, in the completed package, outside said stiff layer including said closure means, whereby at least a portion of said outer layer must be destroyed before access to said closure means may be gained.

23A package of cigarettes, as set forth in claim 1, in which the stifl layer in its developed position comprises front, back, and two side portions hinged together along fold lines, a top portion hinged to an end of one of said side portions,

said top portion having a foldably attached forward region, and wings foldably attached to the sides of said forward region.

3. A package of cigarettes as set forth in claim 1, in which the still layer in its developed position comprises front, back, and two side portions hinged together along fold lines, a top portion hinged to an end of one of said side portions, said top portion having a foldably attached forward region, and wings foldably attached to the sides of said forward region, said wings being substantially semi-circular and being attached to said forward portion along substantially .a radial element of the wing.

4. A package of cigarettes as set forth in claim 1, in which the stiff layer comprises, in its de-- veloped position, a rectangle comprising front,

top and back portions hinged together along fold lines, said top portion having a forward portion thereof separated from the remaining top portion by a fold line, and wings relieved from the front and back portions and attached by folds to said forward top portion. j

5. A package of cigarettes as set forth in claim 1, in which the stiff layer comprises, in its developed position, a rectangle comprising front, top and back portions hinged'together along fold lines, said top portion having a forward portion thereof separated from the remaining top portion by'a fold line, and wings relieved from the front and back portions and attached by folds to said forward top portion, said wings" being substantially semi circular and being attached to said forward portion along substantially a radial element of the wing, CARROLL L. WILSON. 

